ACHS bids farewell to the Class of 2014

By Alan Bulluck abulluck@civitasmedia.com

June 9, 2014

They’ve lived through the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil, two foreign wars and experienced the election and reelection of the country’s first African-American president, and many aren’t even old enough to vote yet.

Now, these young adults who’ve grown up in a wildly diverse, ever-changing society, and often confusing times, are high school graduates.

Ashe County High School held commencement exercises for the Class of 2014 on Friday, June 6, inside the school’s gymnasium.

In addition to the over-flowing crowd of parents, friends and families of the 214 seniors, Superintendent Dr. Todd Holden and members of the Board of Education were on hand to bid a final farewell to the soon-to-be high school graduates.

Ticket demand was high for this year’s graduation as the auditorium was open and a televised simulcast was offered up to late-comers. SkyBest also broadcast a live feed of the commencement ceremonies to subscribers in the county.

Carter Kurtz gave the valedictory address. Kurtz had the highest GPA in the senior class and will attend UNC-Chapel Hill in the fall.

The future is quite bright for those who walked across the stage Friday night, into the next chapter of their lives on the long road to adulthood.

Appalachian State University, Western Carolina University, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Wilmington, Wake Forest University, Wilkes Community College, and the U.S. armed services are just a few of the stops along the way for members of this year’s graduating class.

The following is a brief rundown of ACHS Class of 2014 by the numbers:

• 2 - The number of students who had perfect attendance in grades 9-12.

• 6 - The number of students who had perfect attendance in grade 12.

• 40 - The number of students who graduated with a GPA of 4.0 or higher.

• 17 - The number of students who graduated with a GPA between 3.75 and 3.9.

• 4 - The average age of students on Sept. 11, 2001.

• $1.8 million - The total amount of scholarship money awarded to select students.

With the 2013-14 academic year in the books, the Class of 2015 and all other students in ACS will return to the classroom Monday, August 18.

Alan Bulluck can be reached at (336) 846-7164 or on Twitter albulluck.